Российский паразитологический журнал (Oct 2019)
Helminths of Altai zokor Myospalax myospalax Laxmann, 1773 (Rodentia: Spalacidae) in the northern periphery of the area
Abstract
Objective of research: The purpose of our research was to study the diversity of parasitic worms of the Altai zokor Myospalax myospalax, Asian endemic rodent, in the northern part of the range. Materials and methods: In summer 2013-2015, 26 specimens of the Altai zokor from eight localities of the south part of the Tomsk region were examined by complete helminthological dissection of individual organs. Results and discussion: Four helminth species were registered in the investigated area: nematode Heligmoptera sibirica, cestodes Versteria mustelae larva and Paranoplocephala sp., as well as the acanthocephalan Moniliformis clarki. Previously discovered species except H. sibirica, were not detected in the Altai zokor. Altogether, taking into account the present study, in M. myospalax were registered 6 species of parasitic worms from which nematodes of the genus Heligmoptera are dominant and narrowly specific parasites of zokors.
